NEWS UPDATE
20 September 2017

1. CMI family rejoices and praises the Lord for the release of Rev. Fr. Tom Uzhunnalil who was abducted in March 2016 in Aden. Let us strengthen our missionaries through prayer and all possible.

2. Kainakary Chavara Fest 2017 was jointly organized by Chavara Bhavan Kainakary and Chavara Cultural Centre, Karikamury, Ernakulam at Kainakary, on Saturday, 2 September 2017. The programme, arranged on the occasion of Onam celebration, began with various competitions for various age groups from Kainakary, arranged at KE Carmel School, Kainakary. A solemn procession with Chendamelam and Sinkarimelam and various other native art forms, including Kathakali, Theyyam, Kuchipudi, Mayilattam, and Mohiniyattam along with Margam Kali, added colour to the procession and showcased the uniqueness of Kerala culture. During the programme, five eminent persons from Kainakary were honoured for their contributions to enhance the sociocultural situations of Kainakary; it is planned that the celebration of Kainakary Chavara Fest will be an annual feature connecting the people of the locality and to celebrate the uniqueness of Kaninakary through various cultural celebrations. Thanks to Rev. Fr. Saju Chackalackal and Rev. Fr. Sebastian Thekkedathu, General Councillors, Directors of our centres in Kainakary and all CMIs who took leadership to organize the event.

3. The Fifth Quinquennial programme, ongoing formation for the Young priests, was held from 9 September 2017 to 12 September at Poornodaya, Bhopal. Rev. Fr. Vicar General gave the Inaugural Message and animated the whole Program. Rev. Fr. Benny Thettayil CMI, Mrs. Saritha Anand and Fr. Mathew VC, Vicar General of Bhopal Diocese led the sessions. Rev. Fr. Peter Kochalumkal CMI, Rector, Samanvaya College of Theology, Bhopal and the community hosted the Program. Thanks to Rev. Fr. JoshyCheruparambil, the General Formation Coordinator for having organized the event.

The Next Quinquennial will be held from 18 October 2017 to 21 October 2017.

4. 150 days' preparation to celebrate 150th anniversary of ORU NALLA APPANTE CHAVARUL (issued on 13 February 1868) was formally started with a prayer and blessing by Rev. Fr. Paul Achandy, Prior General, at CMI St. Joseph's Monastery, Koonammavu, which was followed by a prayer by CMC Sisters in the room where our Father Saint Chavara lived and died in Koonammavu, adjacent to St. Philomina's Church. It was from this room that Saint Chavara wrote the Chavarul and sent it to Kainakary. Symbolically representing this route, CMI and CMC members made a pilgrimage from Koonammavu to Kainakary. During this trip, the Chavarul was prayerfully read. After reaching Chavara Bhavan, Kainakary, Fr. Thomas Kallukalam, director of Chavara Bhavan, welcomed everyone and the lighting of the lamp was made by Fr. Prior General along with Fr. Sebastian Thekkedathu and Fr. Saju Chackalackal, CMI General Councillors, and Sr. Lissy Augustine and Sr. Regina Mary, CMC General Gouncillors, and Fr. Zacharias Paikat, Koonammavu Prior, and Fr. James Madathikandam, former vice-postulator. It was followed by the reading of the first two parts of the Chavarul by Fr. Saju Chackalackal and a prayer based on the intentions of the Chavarul by CMC sisters. Then, the Eucharistic celebration was held, which was presided over by Fr. Prior General; a relevant homily was preached by Fr. Sebastian Thekkedathu. Finally, after the Mass, Novena prayer was said and the concluding blessing with the saintly relique of Saint Chavara was given by Fr. Prior General. It is hoped that the observation of 150 days' study and prayer will enhance CMI and CMC consciousness in favour of the renewal of families after the model enshrined in the Chavarul of Saint Chavara.

5. Msgr. Sebastian Vaniyapurackal, the newly elected Syro-Malabar Major Archiepiscopal Curia Bishop, was given a reception in Chavara Hills on 9th September. Msgr. Tony Neelankavil the newly elected auxiliary bishop of Trichur archdiocese also visited Chavara Hills community on 16 September 2017.

6. Covenant 2017, CMI Regents Meet was held during 16th and 19th September 2017 at Chavara Hills. Our 48 Regents from all the 15 Provinces did attend the program. Rev. Fr. Prior General gave the inaugural message. Adv. Litto Palathingal, Mr. Fancis Perera, Retd. Police Officer, Rev. Fr. Thomas Thekkel CMI, Provincial St. Thomas Province, Kozhikode and Rev. Fr. Francis Manavalan CMI, led the sessions. Rev. Fr. Vicar General moderated the discussions and Personal sharing. Our regents visited Navajeevan Trust at Kottayam where God works wonders through Mr. PU Thomas in various charity services, especially in daily feeding about 5000 poor patients with free Food. Thanks to Rev. Fr. Joshy Cheruparambil, the General Formation Coordinator for having organized the event very effectively.

7. His Grace Liborius N. Nashenda OMI Archbishop of Windhoek, Namibia, where 5 of our fathers serve as staff in St. Charles Seminary, Namibia arrived in Bangalore on 13 September and visited Dharmaram College, addressed our Scholastics and Celebrated Holy Mass with them. He arrived at Chavara Hills on 16 September and stayed two days with us. Fr. Benny Karuvelil CMI, Rector of St. Charles Seminary, Namibia has been accompanying the Bishop during his visit. His Grace will leave back to Windhoek, Namibia on 22 September 2017.

8. Congratulations to Rev. Fr. Jilson Naduviledath and Rev. Fr. Janesh Moolayil for the great work they do in Mall ministry in Peabody, Boston. Attendance has been increased and there is active participation of the people in the monthly recollection and for the communal celebration of the Anointing of the Sick. There are many lay people and priests coming to our chapel seeking spiritual direction on a regular basis.


9. Our members who celebrate their Golden Jubilee of Religious profession of our members will assemble in Prior General’s House, Chavara Hills, from 13th to 15th January, 2018.

10. Members who celebrate their Golden Jubilee of Priestly Ordination will meet in Prior General’s House, Chavara Hills, from 17th to 19th January, 2018


11. Major Superiors Meeting with the Staff of Major Study Houses will be held at Dharmaram College Bangalore from 28th September, 2017 to 1st October, 2017.

12. CMI Education Summit will be held in Christ University - Kengery Campus, Bangalore from September 30 to October 2, 2017. It will commence at 9.00 am on 30th September and End by noon on 02nd October 2017. For Registration details Please follow www.cmiedusummit.in , Email: cmiedusummit@gmail.com


13. Aspirants' Rectors Meetings will be held from 5 October 2017 to 08 October 2017 at Chavara Hills

14. Formation Coordinators and Vocation Promoters Meeting will be held from 07 October 2017 to 08 October 2017 at Chavara Hills.


15. On 8 October 2017 CMI Freshers Meet (I Yearr Aspirants of 8 Southern Provinces) will be held at Chavara Hills from 08 am to 04 pm

16. CMI Theologians and Philosophers meeting will be held in DVK Bangalore on 27th and 28th October 2017.

Let us Remember Our Departed Souls:
• Rev. Fr. Chethalan Francis CMI (73), of Devamatha Province, Thrissur, slept in the Lord this morning (19.09.2017). The funeral will be on Thursday, 21 September 2017 at 02.30 pm at Infant Jesus Monastery,Thalore.

• Mrs. Kunjamma Joseph (85), beloved elder sister of Rev. Fr. James Manjipuzhathundiyil CMI of Mary Matha Vice- Province, Bellampally, slept in the Lord on 2 September 2017.
• Mrs. Brigeetha, beloved sister of Rev. Fr. George Pius Ukken CMI of Devamatha Province, Thrissur, slept in the Lord on 5 September 2017